And if you don't want people to comment on your opinions (favorably or unfavorably), you shouldn't post them on a website. Look, I don't for one minute think Mr. Adams minds that I commented on his opinion -- like I said, why else is it posted here? I don't think he even minds that I disagreed with him -- he just didn't agree with my reasons for doing so. I didn't read the interview looking for reasons to become offended; I read the interview for the purpose for which I believe it was posted, which is to allow us (the fans of his books) to explore religious beliefs of one of our favorite writers. What's wrong with that? And what's wrong with disagreeing with those beliefs once I have explored them? I don't have the opportunity of discussing this subject with Shakespeare or Faulkner or Lewis Carroll, seeing as they're dead (and presumably know for sure one way or another about these eternal verities), but I do have that opportunity with Douglas Adams, and what's wrong with taking it?

In other words, the problem isn't with Mr. Adams (as far as I can tell). It is that all of you who agree with him on the subject of religion dislike the fact that I deigned to disagree. I would like you to entertain just for a moment the possibility that my reasons for my beliefs are just as valid as are his (and your) reasons for your beliefs. There's also the possibility, of course, that I'm a flake. But assuming I'm not a flake, just how would you expect me to react? Am I just supposed to ignore errors in reasoning? Am I just supposed sit back and let you guys affirm how brilliant each other is? Let you all enjoy a big, ol, cyber-group hug? Or am I supposed to bring up an important issue and be prepared to defend my opinion? I thought that's what a public forum is for. If you all want to have a nice all-atheist meeting, there's nothing stopping you, but I suggest you find a more private forum. The holyrollers have Wednesday night prayer meetings just for that purpose.
<PrevNext>